Everyone,

Regarding the recent questions of allowing fenders on bikes at Wells Ave.

We have generally made it a policy that bags, pumps, and fenders are not
allowed in races at Wells Ave. In the case of the bags and pumps, this is
because we have had incidents in the past when they were permitted and came
off the bikes and caused crashes.

Fenders can cause the same kind of problems if they fall off or are knocked
off by contact in the pack, and additionally can present a greater chance of
injury if riders were to fall on them in a crash. For these reasons we will
be continuing the policy of not allowing fenders, pumps or bags on bikes in
the Wells Ave. races, and we will be checking the bar ends as well to make
sure that all bikes have bar end plugs.

Particularly in the very early season, when the packs can be very large, and
people are re-acquiring their racing skills after the long winter, I think
it is prudent to be conservative to make the races as safe as we possibly
can.

I hope this clears up the situation for everyone.

See you all out at Wells on Saturday (for clean-up) and Sunday (for racing).

Chris Ryan
Wells Ave Chief Referee